Systems and methods for determining an inventory using a hybrid lighting and inventory system

Abstract

Systems and methods for determining an inventory. The methods comprise: performing operations by an internal circuit of a light provider to control operations of a light element to produce visible light, where the light provider is coupled to a light fixture installed on a physical structure of a facility; and performing operations by the internal circuit to connect with a network, receive a tag identifier associated with an alert event from at least one external device via the network, read tags, and control the light element to modify at least one characteristic of the visible light produced thereby when information read from one of the tags includes the tag identifier.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for determining an inventory, comprising:
 performing first operations by an internal circuit of a light provider to control operations of a light element to produce visible light, where the light provider is coupled to a light fixture installed on a physical structure of a facility; and 
 performing second operations by the internal circuit of the light provider to:
 connect with a network; 
 receive, from a control system via the network, a tag identifier associated with an alert event detected by a first reader device external to the light provider; 
 read, via a second reader device internal to the light provider, a tag after receiving the tag identifier to determine tag read information; 
 determine that the tag read information includes the tag identifier; and 
 in response to the tag read information including the tag identifier, control the light element to modify at least one characteristic of the visible light produced thereby. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the light element comprises a light bulb or a light tube. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the internal circuit comprises an antenna printed on the light bulb or the light tube. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal circuit controls at least one of an on/off state, a brightness, or a color of the light element. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising performing the second operations by the internal circuit to communicate information read from the tag to at least one external device via the network. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising performing the second operations by the internal circuit to:
 receive a notification from at least one external device when a person is detected near the light provider; and 
 control the light element to provide the visible light with the at least one characteristic when information read from the tag includes the tag identifier and the information is read within a pre-defined period of time from receipt of the notification. 
 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising second performing the operations by the internal circuit to cause the light fixture to issue an alarm when information read from the tag includes the first tag identifier. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the tag is a first tag, and further comprising performing the second operations by the internal circuit to control the light provider such that the light provider outputs at least one of light and Radio Frequency (“RF”) energy that is harvestable by a second tag or other energy harvesting device. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal circuit performs the tag read in a manner that minimizes an effect of heat generated by the internal circuit on a life of the light element. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising performing the second operations by the internal circuit to decrease a first brightness level of the light element and cause an increase in a second brightness level of a respective light element of at least one adjacent light provider to optimize a quality of an image or video that is to be captured by a first camera integrated with the light fixture or a second camera placed in proximity to the light fixture. 
     
     
       11. A light provider, comprising:
 a light element configured to produce visible light; 
 a base coupled to the light element, configured to fit in a light fixture, and comprising a power contact for connecting to an external power source via the light fixture; and 
 an internal circuit configured of the light provider to:
 control operations of the light element; 
 connect with a network; 
 receive, from a control system via the network, a tag identifier associated with an alert event detected by a first reader device external to the light provider; 
 read, via a second reader device internal to the light provider, a tag after receiving the tag identifier to determine tag read information; and 
 in response to determining that tag read information includes the tag identifier, control the light element to modify at least one characteristic of the visible light produced thereby. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The light provider according to  claim 11 , wherein the light element comprises a light bulb or a light tube. 
     
     
       13. The light provider according to  claim 12 , wherein the internal circuit comprises an antenna printed on the light bulb or the light tube. 
     
     
       14. The light provider according to  claim 11 , wherein the internal circuit performs the operations to turn the light element on or off. 
     
     
       15. The light provider according to  claim 11 , wherein the internal circuit controls at least one of a brightness and a color of the light element. 
     
     
       16. The light provider according to  claim 11 , wherein the internal circuit is configured to communicate information read from the tag to at least one external device via the network. 
     
     
       17. The light provider according to  claim 11 , wherein the internal circuit is further configured to:
 receive a notification from at least one external device when a person is detected near the light provider; and 
 control the light element to provide the visible light with the at least one characteristic when information read from the tag includes the first tag identifier and the information is read within a pre-defined period of time from receipt of the notification. 
 
     
     
       18. The light provider according to  claim 11 , wherein the internal circuit is further configured to cause the light fixture to issue an alarm when information read from the tag includes the first tag identifier. 
     
     
       19. The light provider according to  claim 11 , wherein the tag is a first tag, and wherein the internal circuit is further configured to control the light provider such that the light provider outputs at least one of light and Radio Frequency (“RF”) energy that is harvestable by a second tag or other energy harvesting device. 
     
     
       20. The light provider according to  claim 11 , wherein the internal circuit is further configured to perform the read of the tag in a manner that minimizes an effect of heat generated by the internal circuit on a life of the light element. 
     
     
       21. The light provider according to  claim 11 , wherein the internal circuit is further configured to decrease a first brightness level of the light element and cause an increase in a second brightness level of a respective light element of at least one adjacent light provider to optimize a quality of an image or video that is to be captured by a first camera integrated with the light fixture or a second camera placed in proximity to the light fixture. 
     
     
       22. The light provider according to  claim 11 , wherein the internal circuit is further configured to cause the light element to flash on and off and to issue an alarm when information read from the tag includes the tag identifier.